For kicking attacks, the targets do vary slightly depending upon the kick. But as a general guide, chudan for kicks tends to be a bit lower than the target for punching. Based on the picture above, chudan for most types of kicks would fall almost in the middle of the chudan and gedan targets for punching, about the height of your hips. The gedan target for kicks also varies depending upon the kick, covering a range between the groin and the knee.

Jodan Uke (Upper Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.

Bring your blocking hand across your body with your palm facing up.

Raise your blocking hand on the outside of your pull back hand.

Finish your jodan uke, twisting your forearm at the end until your palm is facing out, finishing with your fist higher than your elbow and your wrist in front of your forehead.
Side view [pictured right] – finish with a gap of about one fist between your wrist and your forehead.

Jodan Uke (1)click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (2)click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (3)click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (4) click to enlarge

Jodan Uke (4, side) click to enlarge

Soto Uke (Outside Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.

Bring your blocking hand across your body until the back of your hand reaches the elbow of the existing block.

Keep your elbow where it is, slide your new block up the outside of the existing block and twist your forearm until your palm faces you at the end point.
Side view – finish with a gap of about one fist between your elbow and your body and an angle of about 100° at your elbow (wrist at chudan height).

Soto Uke (1) Outside Block

Soto Uke (2) Outside Block

Soto Uke (3) Outside Block

Soto Uke (3, side) Outside Block

Uchi Uke (Inside Block)

Step by step explanation and important points:

This example shows the start from an existing block.

Bring your blocking hand out to the side of your body with your palm facing foreward, be sure not to lift your shoulder or draw the arm back behind the line of your body

Leading with your elbow, twist you forearm until you finish your block with your palm facing towards your face
Side view – uchi uke finishes in the same end position as soto uke (outside block)

Uchi Uke (1) click to enlarge

Uchi Uke (2) click to enlarge

Uchi Uke (3) click to enlarge

Uchi Uke (3, side) click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (Lower Sweep/Block)

Slide your new block down the outside of your existing block, sweeping past your groin, twisting your forearm as you finish with your palm facing towards your thigh
Side view – ensure the finish position is not too close or too far away from your thigh

Gedan Barai (1) click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (2) click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (3) click to enlarge

Gedan Barai (3, side) click to enlarge

Basic Punching

Oi Zuki (Leading hand punch)

Gyaku Zuki (Reverse punch)

Shiko Zuki (Shiko dachi, low punch)

Juu Te Waza (10 Hand Techniques)

A simple routine to practice the basics punching and blocking techniques.